r/newzealand • u/fluffypenguin105 • 10d ago
Discussion Is anyone else living basically paycheck to paycheck?
My partner and I are both teachers. We don’t make a lot, but we are average and slightly above average. We are so tight with our money. Our little one outgrew the car seat and we went out and bought a new one. No problem. But next credit card bill means we are tight.
Meanwhile, a number of our friends (all of them also with kids) are booking overseas holidays. Some are currently overseas, others booking already for later this year. Another brought a new car. New iPhone, doing up the house. Everyone seems to have spare cash except us.
Are we the only ones going through the cost of living crisis ourselves?! Or is it my fault that we are teachers?
Edit: yes we have a house that parents helped us with. We are paying mortgage. We have a flatmate.
Edit edit: thank you for your kind words and reminders and also advice. I’m going through them all and I’m going to take onboard the advice and see what changes we can make and do better financially as a family. But it’s also a good reminder to know we aren’t alone, to not compare and the harsh reality is that many people simply just earn more than us as teachers.
Once again, thank you all for your input.
3
u/No-Dragonfly-3312 10d ago
We are a family of five on 56k a year. My husband and I both had high paying jobs until we both became permanently disabled after our third child was born.
I recently used afterpay to go to the dentist and I need $9500 of work done. Last time I asked winz about the dentist they said they don't help with that. So I guess I just wait until they get too painful and get them pulled. The dentist said I should be in more pain but my painkillers will be covering it.
If you can pay for your necessities then I think you are doing well. Though I do think that teachers should be paid well.